Conyers Denounces Farrakhan's 'Racist, Anti-Semitic' Speech

Almost a week after hearing an inflammatory speech from the Rev. Louis Farrakhan, Dem Rep. John Conyers issued a statement on Thursday condemning the speech and apologizing for his attendance. The walk-back was likely prompted after the Drudge Report highlighted Conyers’ attendance at the virulently anti-semitic speech.

Conyers said, “Farrakhan made unacceptable racist, anti-Semitic, and homophobic statements.” The congressman’s statement also said he condemns the remarks “in the strongest possible terms.”

advertisement

In a speech last Friday at a Detroit area church, the Nation of Islam leader denounced “Satanic Jews” and the “synagogue of Satan” which Farrakhan said control major institutions in the country. He also said that President Obama had “surrounded himself with Satan…members of the Jewish community.”

Farrakhan also defended recently convicted, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, claiming that “white” politicians were guilty of much worse crimes.

It is good that Conyers has condemned Farrakhan’s hateful remarks. One only wishes it didn’t take an embarrassing Drudge headline to spark his action.